While today's decision would appear to put an end to anti-gay ordinances, Cole says conservative groups will probably look for ways to circumvent the ruling. "I wouldn't be surprised if right-wing groups try to find a different way to attack homosexuals," Cole says. "This will not signal an end to legislative and ballot initiatives attacking the civil rights of gays and lesbians. They will try and craft the laws to use different language than the court struck down." The ruling comes at a critical moment when a constitutional battle over another aspect of gay rights is taking shape. A Hawaiian court is expected to rule in July on the legality of such marriages. Under the U.S. Constitution's full faith and credit clause, states in most cases must accord reciprocity to other states in such matters as marriage and drivers' licenses. Anticipating the possibility that Hawaii will make gay marriages legal, several states, including Utah, are moving to deny recognition of out-of-state marriages that do not conform to their own state laws so that people married to someone of the same sex in Hawaii cannot claim recognition of their marriages in those other states. If Hawaii sets this conflict in motion, the ensuing battle is likely to end up before the Supreme Court. they see it at self-aggrandizing behavior. Also, Lee has yet to offer China anything, or taken any concrete steps."
Taking the opportunity to congratulate his own people, Lee called Taiwan the dream of all Chinese, citing what he called an eye-catching economic miracle and world-acclaimed democratic reforms. For all its success, Taiwan is still overshadowed by its powerful neighbor in the international sphere. Most governments, including the United States, have no official representatives in Taiwan, proof of China's success at isolating Taiwan diplomatically. Terence Nelans